How to Have a Backyard Tailgating Party Without a Backyard

Published on Oct 20, 2016 at 6:00 AM

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the makers of HORMEL GATHERINGS® party trays

POPSUGAR Photography | Chrissy Lynn

You might think you need a backyard to host a traditional tailgating party, but think again. We're sharing how to pull off the easiest indoor pregame get-together by bringing the party right into your home. Read on for tips on how to grill without an actual grill, bring outdoor elements indoors, and keep the tailgate feeling strong.

Get the Spread Without the Grill

A large part of tailgating is the food, especially all things grilled. Even though you don't have the outdoor space to sear up burgers and sausages, you can create the same flavor with a grill pan. Foods that are best for indoor grilling include all the classics, like burgers, chicken, veggies, and kebabs. Steer clear of larger meats or fish.

Set the Snack Scene

By picking up a HORMEL GATHERINGS® party tray of already-ready meat and cheeses, there's more time to enjoy with your guests. No need to slice or stack. Plus, finger foods like veggies and dip or pretzels and guacamole make it simple for guests to keep noshing throughout the entire party.

To really impress, build a miniature football stadium made of snacks. Use a baking sheet for your base, and grab your ingredients to create the stadium — guacamole for the field, sour cream for the yard lines, beef jerky sticks secured with toothpicks for field goal posts. Your favorite snacks, like pretzels, chips, cheese, bite-size meats, and crackers, will fill the bleachers to complete your delicious stadium.

Plan For Lots of Fun

Make sure to pull in some elements that are true to the authentically fun feel of tailgating — like beer pong! Have lots of hands-on and interactive activities to keep everyone engaged until it's game time. Encourage some healthy competition by creating a fantasy draft for the game you're watching.

Create a Signature Drink

Make your indoor tailgate even more spirited with a signature cocktail that your guests can easily serve themselves. It's a fun way to kick off the party and keep things energized once the game begins. Create a signature cocktail that fits with your hometown team, or keep it neutral to make all fans happy. You can also stock coolers with cold drinks and place them around your space.

Get Social

Once guests arrive, share a hashtag to document the fun for everyone to use while "tailgating" and once the game starts. Set up a selfie station for taking football-themed snaps to celebrate the occasion. You can scroll through the hashtag once the day is over to relive all the fun.